Decorating & Design
June 24, 2019
A Colorful Montreal Home With Restaurant-Inspired Design
Montreal’s trendy Mile End neighborhood is known for its stylish cafes and restaurants, but Sarah, a busy CEO, and her partner, management consultant Félix-Antoine, never expected that dining out would end up inspiring their home design. But that’s exactly what happened when they tackled an ambitious, six-month renovation that turned their tired, circa-1912, 3,615-square-foot rowhouse into the couple’s dream home.
“We really love going to nice restaurants and looking at the decor,” says Sarah. “We look at the materials that have been selected and see how they’ve been mixed. Our renovated home has a restaurant vibe; we’re always entertaining! The whole point was to have a lot of people over.”
Scroll down to tour the colorful Montreal home, which will spark joy.
Homeowners Félix-Antoine and Sarah in their airy living room. The artwork mirrors the rug’s serene palette and brings out the wall’s soft blue undertones.
The chair and sofa were reupholstered in a sunny yellow fabric that brings a youthful energy to the living room’s elegant high ceilings and ornate trim.
“In the living room, we had bookshelves constructed around the fireplace to draw attention to it because it’s so beautiful,” says Sarah.
In the entryway, a cheerful shade of green welcomes guests and makes the intricate moulding stand out. The antique bench is an ideal spot for seasonal items. “René Lévesque sat on that bench to put on his winter boots!” says Félix-Antoine.
Custom-made floating consoles connected by an inviting banquette offer extra storage for cutlery and linens.
The coffered ceiling was inspired by Montreal’s Café Myriade. Moody cabinets along with gold-toned hardware and matching stools deliver a high-end look.
To brighten up the kitchen, the homeowners chose a classic white marble backsplash made of inexpensive floor tiles that reflects the light. Old wooden cabinets were given new life with a fresh coat of vibrant pink.
An antique church pew, a simple DIY table and a pair of chic, dark blue footstools create a family-friendly nook, ideal for homework or a cup of coffee. On Saturday mornings, Félix-Antoine wakes up early and makes pancakes for the whole family.
In the home office, a leafy wallpaper is punctuated by a pair of sculptural ceramic sconces that accentuate the room’s mid-century flair. “I fell in love with them immediately,” says Félix-Antoine. “The way they diffuse the light is incredible.”
In the principal bedroom, Sarah and Félix-Antoine chose a lively wallpaper that plays up the mustard hue of the bed frame.
Black accents add drama and contrast in the family’s monochromatic bathroom. A simple stool painted a shade of mint is practical yet memorable.
Maxime Desbiens
House & Home June 2019